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BRIEF EXPLANATORY 

REPORT, 

AS TO THE 

TERMINATION OF THE 

HUNGARIAN STRUGGLE; 

THE CAPITULATION OF THE 

FOUTllESS OF COIORN; 

AND THE OBJECTS, PROBABLE EXTENT, AND OTHER 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE 

HUNGARIAN EMI6RATI0I. 



V X ■ ""V 



'^^ 



NEW-YOkK : 

J. M. ELLIOTT, PRINTER, 58 NASSAU ST. 

1850 



' .. ^ V 






CORRESPONDENCE. 



The following correspondence is published by the direc- 
tion of the Committee raised by the Citizens of New- 
York, for the relief of the Hungarian Exiles ; and the 
object of the publication, as will be apparent, is to dis- 
seminate, as widely as possible, facts of great interest in 
regard to these gallant and unfortunate men, with a view 
to the more efficient promotion of those measures which 
are now under way for their permanent relief. 
By order of the Committee. 

M. VAN SCHAICK, 

Chairman. 
Robert Lenox Kennedy, 

Secretary. 



New- York, December 29th, 1849. 
Governor Ladislaus Ujhazy ; 

AND Count Vass, &c., (fee, &,c. 

Gentlemen: We have been appointed a Sub-Com- 
mittee, by the General Committee raised for the relief of 
the Refugees from Hungary ; and take the liberty of ad- 
dressing you, for the purpose of procuring some information 
which is important for our own guidance, and that of those 
of our fellow-citizens whose aid we are desirous to obtain. 

Will you have the goodness to let us know the circum- 
stances attendant on the final termination of the Hunga- 
rian struggle, and the surrender of Comorn, so far as to 
apprise us of the probable extent and character of the 
Hungarian emigration which we may expect here. We 
are aware that Count Vass was not at Comorn at the 



time of its capitulation ; but his position, as a member of 
the Diet, and his general familiarity with the condition of 
the country, will, we think, enable him to give us impor-. 
tant information. 

We are, gentlemen, 

With the highest respect, 

Your obedient servants, 

THEODORE SEDGWICK, 
S. DRAPER. 



To Theodore Sedgwick and S. Drapeu, Esans. 

Gentlemex : Called upon by you, the Snb-Commiltee 
of the honorable Committee forme 1 in favor of the Hun- 
garian Refngoes, to give explanations concerning the 
ti-rmination of ihc Hungarian struggle, and of the cir- 
cumstances attending the capitulation of the Fortress of 
Comorn ; and also concerning the extent, objects and 
other circumstances of the probable Hungarian emigration, 
I have the honor, in piu-sn:uice of this request, to submit 
herewith the desired explanatory report. 

I do this in accordance with my best knowledge and 
belief, but must ask your indulgence, if, owing to tny igno- 
rance of the l-iUgli^h language, in which 1 cannot express 
myself originally, niy thdughis are not so fully and com- 
pletely given as the dignity of the suljeci and the highly 
valued attention you bestow on our cause require. 

Accept, gentlemen, the assurances of my very great 

respect. 

Your obd't servant, 

LADISLAUS UJHAZY. 

New-York, January 1, 1850, 



A BRIEF EXPLANATORY REPORT, &c, 



One of the most interesting and stirring periods of the 
Hungarian Revolution, and of our struggle for freedom, 
began on the day when, aft'r the glorious victory on the 
Banks of the Theiss, gained by Damjanics, one of our 
ablest leaders- the Austrian mercenaries veere steadily 
driven back toward the west, followed by other splendid 
successes and glorious battles, which resulted in raising 
the siege of Comorn, that had heen obstinately but vainly 
pressed through the winter months, and in the storming 
and occupation of our capital, Buda Pesth. 

1'his first favorable turn of affairs, beginning with the 
battle of Szolnok on one hand, raised the spirits of our 
people, and on the other, roused them to their utmost ef-^ 
forts, and to sacrifices both of property and blood. 

But while the nation was ready to sacrifice, it wished, 
at the same time, to know the object for which these sacri^ 
fices were made and their blood poured out. Up to 
the above mentioned period, notwithstanding Windisch-5 
gratz had proposed for his aim the unconditional subjec?^ 
tion of the land, the dispositions of the diet were made 
purely in the spirit of a constitutional resistance, and the 
struggle was, so to speak, carried on in the name of the 
dethroned Ferdinand, against the young usurper, Frans; 
Joseph. 

As in all revolutions, so in ours, there were geveral par-^ 
ties. Thsre were some who intended to wage this con^ 
test simply for the recovery of the constitution of 1848, 



6 

who wished to keep open a way of retreat, so that they 
might, in case of an unsuccessful issue, fall back under 
Austrian rule. 

Others, of whom I was one, wished to sacrifice their 
property and their blood for a gr.inder, more worthy object, 
namely : for a separation from Austria and the founding of 
a Republic. 

In pursuance of this ardent wish, there was formed in 
March, a1 first in the bosom of the diet, a Democratic 
Republican Club, which holding public sessions and honor- 
ing me with the presidency, had for its object the hasten- 
ing of the declaration of independence, and consultation 
upon all subjects of interest that might occur. 

The members of this Society very soon composed a major- 
ity, both in the upper house and the house of representatives, 
so that the then existing government, the so called Commit- 
tee of national defence, under the presidency of Louis 
Kossuth, felt itself incited to a declaration of independence. 

This resolution was solemnly announced in the Cathe- 
dral of Debreczin, in the presence of a countless multitude. 
Kossuth there delivered an eloquent discourse, in which 
he so powerfully and vividly depicted the injustice, treach- 
ery and perjury for three centuries practised by Austria 
upon Hungary, that every hearer uttered curses against 
that tyrannical and deceitful House, 

On this occasion, Kossuth was appointed by one uni- 
versal,^ thundering acclamation. Governor of the country. 
This event occurred on the 14th of April. When, shortly 
after, the Governor having named his new Ministry, its 
President, Bartholomew Szemere, brought forward, with 
distinguished energy and decision, his republican pro- 
gramme, there followed such a lively expression of ap- 
plause as I had never before heard, and which sufficiently 
indicated how well he met the views of the National As- 
sembly, and to what matuiity, even at that time, those prin- 
ciples had attained. 

From this decisive epoch onward, the main care of the 
Hungarian Government was to place the administration 



'of the country in the hands of men of purely repuMicaa 
sentiments, who fully approved the Declaration oflnde- 
pendence. It accordingly sent Csanyi, who was after- 
Wards unhappily executed, to Transylvania, and to my fidel- 
ity it committed the Fortress of Comorn and the sur- 
rounding region — " Comorn," as the old proverb runs, 
"the key of the Magyar land." The office was a diffi- 
cult one to fill ,' but I accepted the mission, in the sacred 
consciousness of my duty ; and under such circumstances, 
in the month of May, relieved the person to whom the 
Government had formerly given it in charge. I mention 
all this only to designate the truly revolutionary moment 
at which 1 commenced my administration in Comorn. 
The nature of my duties may be discovered from the 
spirit of the period. It was to confirm the principles of 
Independence and of the Republic that had been de- 
clared, to induce obedience to the new government, on the 
part of the citizens and the troops, and to provide for the 
material wants of the army. For this latter purpose, and 
in case I should become isolated from the Government, I 
was empowered to issue 5,000,000 gulden ( Conventions — 
Miinze,) $2,500,000, in national bank notes. 

My sphere of action in civil affairs, both political and 
judicial, was restricted by no limits but entire responsibili- 
ty to my government ; and my sole instructions were to do 
what the cause of the country and of freedom required. 

The comraand-in-chief of the troops was committed to 
Genl. Klapka ; my participation in military affairs con- 
sisted in a seat and vole at the council of war, which 
could not be held without rny presence. 

The territorial extent of my administration, of which 
Comorn was the chief seat, included besides the County 
of Comorn, the five adjoining Counties with their capital, 
to wit, Esztergam, Bars, Nyitra, Gyor and Veszpreim, for 
which I was authorized to appoint sub-commissioners. 
The population of the City of Comorn amounted to 20,- 
000, that of the six counties to 1,140,000, with an area of 
350 geographical square miles, I regret that I cannot ex- 



8 

hibit the original documents, and ihe orders of the goverti- 
tneiit that were dinctod to hie. They would have fully 
explained the nature of my position. But as I was ol)lig- 
ed to wait a weeic after the surrender of the fortress of 
Comorn for my traveling passport, during which lime the 
searching of houses by the Austrian soldiery was the or- 
der of the day, I was obliged to destroy these valuable doc- 
uments that I might not. expose the liv^es of individuals 
mentioned in them, who were deeply engaged in the revo- 
lution. 

Thus much of the position and nature of the office en- 
trusted to me. I now proceed to the main event, the con- 
ditions and execution of the surrender of (he fortress 
which broiJght my services to the fatherland to so painful 
a close. 

From the time when the government was moved from 
Pesth to Szogedin, and from there again to Arad,the com- 
munication between it and the fortress of Comorn was so 
much interrupted, that the numerous couriers who were 
dispatched, either could not return, or were unable 
to reach the seat of government. And then my position 
\vas a most painful one, cut off not only from the rest of 
the civilized world, but also from my own government. In 
such a condition of things, deprived of all protection and 
assistance from that source, we were obliged to procure for 
ourselves all the necessary means of preservation ; but the 
zeal and willingness of the people admirably supported 
otii' operations. The troops were accordingly provided 
with all things necessary, audit was ^ubsequcntly shown 
that no deprivations could shake their firmness. They 
could liot, however, have been furnished with sufficient 
warm clothing for the approaching winter. But owing to 
this favorable disposition of the army, and Ihe sidlful 
military tactics of Genl. Klapka, the sally of the 3d of Au- 
gust succeeded so well, that thousands of the enemy, fly- 
ing as far as Presburgh, were slain or taken prisoners, and 
the booty amounted to millions. Just as General Klapka, 
after this brilliant vict()ry,was intending to make a powerful 
diversion upon the soil of the enemy, either against Vienna 



9 

or Styria, and I, on my part, was enlisting with much success^ 
new recruits iti the surrounding district, now cleared of the 
enemy, and had already formed several new battalions, the 
account of the surrender of Gorgey, with the flower of his 
troops and 140 cannon, came upon us like a thun- 
derbolt. So incredible did this report appear to us, that 
we were ready to condem to death, as false spies, those 
who first announced it, until the number of the fugitives 
who arrived, sufficiently confirmed the dreadful truth. 
One universal cry of veugeance arose against this treason of 
Gorgey, which gave the death blow to his country. And 
now the reality justifies our first conjectures. For while 
the officers under Gorgey had to suffer an ignominious 
death, he lives at his ease in Klagenfurt under the protec- 
tion of the l]mperor of Austria. 

No sooner had this deplorable event taken place, than 
we were daily disturbed in Comorn by messengers sent 
from the commanders of the besieging forces, summoning 
us to an unconditional surrender. But the spirit of our 
men was good. With firm resolution we rejected the 
ignominious summons. Every false device was employed 
to act upon us. The enemy caused Ernest Kiss, one of 
our captured generals, to write from Arad to General 
Klapka and Colonel Asserman, telling them of the gra- 
cious treatment which those who had surrendered received, 
ad calling on them lo imitate Gorgey's example, main- 
taining, among other things, also, that we were bound to 
follow the Dictator. After the enemy had made such a 
use of this man, they requited him for the shameful service 
with powder and lead. Another Hungarian, who had 
been for a short time residing abroad, a man of no fixed 
principles, degraded himself to a similar service. A mem- 
ber of the Austrian embassy induced him to write me a 
letter, attempting to persuade me to the surrender of the 
fortress. The letter was, however, either delayed, or the 
enemy's leaders doubted its effect upon me, for it was 
delivered to me by General Nobili only when the Austrians 
entered the place. But neither General Klapka nor my- 
self, nor the council of war, listened to these suggestions, 
2 



e 



10 

nor io the syren voice of their assurances, but resolved to 
obtain more accurate information regarding tho condition 
of (he country from which we were isolated, and the situ- 
ation of our troops. We therefore sent four couriers — 
General Klapka, two officers of the siaff, and I two civil 
officers of rank — to Arad, (o find our government ; or if this 
no longer existed, to seek General Bern in Transylvania. 
These couriers brouglit back the mournful report of the re- 
signation of the government — of Gorgey's treachery — of 
the occupation of the fortress of Arad, and of the dispersion 
of the other troops of the interior, after the utterly demoral- 
izing act of Gorgey. A later courier brought ns the addi- 
tional news of the passage of the last remnant of our 
troops over the boundary toward Widdin, and but on 
consolatory hope remained, that the fortress of Peterwar- 
adein still held out, for we had no certain information con- 
cerning it. In such a condition of affairs, at first doubtful, 
but every day becoming more bitterly clear and certain, we 
passed five weeks, from the middle of August to about the 
20ih of September, during which the enemy were shame- 
less enough repeatedly to sumtnon us to an unconditional 
surrender, and always within the peremptory term of forty- 
eight hours. 

At last we were informed of the surrender of the garri- 
son of. Peterwaradein. We had lately dispatched thither 
a secret courier, to urge them by all means not to yield 
without honorable conditions, but this cornier was taken on 
the road, and never returned. At the suggestion of General 
Klapka, the question of a possible capitulation was then 
seriously discussed in the council of war. The land entirely 
stripped of defence ; the probable fall of Peterwaradein ; 
the crushing, but unavoidable conviction, that the garrison 
of a single fortress could not possibly renew, with success, 
the contest for freedom ; and the sentimoiit, that in (he im- 
possibilily of making another successful elToit, we owed it 
to humanity to save a populous city, which had already 
made such unlimited sacrifices, from utter destruction ; and 
to preserve the lives of 25,000 brave champions of freedom, 
among whom are many who may form the germ ol ai.ew 



11 

struggle for liberty — influenced by these considerations, the 
principle of capitulation, under suitable conditions, preserv- 
ing our military honor, was adopted. On this occasion, 
the civil power being in my person, after the resignation of 
the government, concentrated, ready to accept the principle 
of capitulation. But when afterward the conditions them- 
selves were discussed, I insisted upon those of a more ex- 
tended and fiivorahle nature, and would yield nothing of 
them. But the majority of the council overruled my opin- 
ion, and I was forced to put my opposing vote on the record 
of the council of war. as Colonel Pragay, who is here pre- 
sent, and who was adjutant general of the army, and also 
secretary of the council, can testify; and to whom, and also 
for his (aiihful and circumstantial record of my vote, and 
its reasons, I owe many thanks, [ must add here, that if, 
at the commencement, as large a council of war had been 
held as was afterwards assembled, to which every battal- 
ion furnished its representatives, consisting of captains and 
lietitenants, but which could not rescind the previous reso- 
lutions, it would by no means have yielded without more 
extended and better condiiions; for such energy and deter- 
mination were displayed thioughout the corps of officers, 
that even General Klapka was greatly siirprised at it — 
a new proof, that as well in the ranks of the military as of 
the civil world, the true principles of freedom and energy 
are to be found in the masses. 

After the conditions had been several tirnes discussed in 
the council of war, they were finally drawn up in the form 
which I have the honor of laying before yoiv in theHiniga- 
rian and German originals and the English translations, 
(Appendix.) The original manuscript of this document 
is in the hands of General Klapka, and we have resolved 
to deposit it with some one of the embassies at l.iOndon. It 
was signed on neutral ground, beyond the walls of the 
garrison, whither our officers proceeded ; but I did not 
accompany them, because in the fiist place the teims had 
already been determined upon in the council of war, and 
also because I hated the sight of the leaders of the Austrian 
mercenaries. 



12 

The capitnlalion was accordingly signed on the 27th of 
September; but a separate stipulaiion was entered into, 
that the actual surrender should not take place until a 
deputation of two officers, one subaltern and one private, 
had gone, under an Austrian escort, to Peterwaradein, and 
learned more accurately the condition of that foi tress. 
Alas ! they brought back word that the Anstrians were 
rioting within its walls, and that the garrison had surren- 
deied at discretion. 

Then came the saddest, most dreadful of my life's days, 
when the Austrians marched in, and were permitted to 
plant on the walls of the fortress their black and yellow 
flag — colors of envy and death. God of Freedom, why 
must I live to see that day ! 

This was followed by the marching out of our garrison 
on diti'erent days, during which, the noblest and most 
touching scenes were displayed. All the flags and their 
standards were cut in small pieces, of which each would 
preserve a fragment as a memorial. A great number 
of arms, especially swords, were broken up, rather than be 
surrendered to the enemy ; but the most moving and heart- 
stirring incident occurred when a regiment of hussars were 
drawn up, at the urgent demand of the Ausirian general, 
nnd asked by General j<lapka whether they would enter 
the Austrian service? But one answer was heard from 
the lanks : " No, General ; for the service of our father- 
land we stand ready at a moment's call — for Austria, 
never !" The imperial generals were abashed, wlule tears 
of joy rose to ihe eyes of oin* officers. And, in general, I 
must say, that although we stood there loi'saken by the 
whole world, the coiu'age of the Comorn troops never 
sank : they had first to be pacified, and taught that a finiher 
struggle could have no successful results, before they 
willingly assented to the surrender. 

With the exception of acts of violence on the part of 
individual officers, the conduct of the Austrians, imme- 
diati^ly after the capitulation, and while we were wailing 
for our passports at Comorn, was forbearing, and tiot un- 
worthy ; which, however, 1 can ascribe only to the respect 



13 

with which we inspired them — especially on the occasion 
of our last sally. Indeed, I feel called on to mention the 
gentlemanly treatment we received at the hands of General 
Nobili, the imperial commandant of the fortress. He is, 
however, an Italian — not an Austrian or Bohemian re- 
actionary aristocrat. As soon as we had occasion to 
say that we were American emigrants, we were treated 
with marked courtesy. Such res[)cct does the mere name 
of the mighty land of freedom impose upon the instruments 
of tyraimy, that they are cautious of oppressing otje who 
but proposes to become a citizen of this glorious country. 
This, however, was only in the first days ; for when the 
troops, whose presence held them in check, had marched 
out, and were dispersed through the country, violations of 
the capitulation began to take place in the usual perfidious 
manner of Austrian management— violations, partly un- 
dei handed, partly open, which I will attempt to explain in 
a special protest to the great and noble American people, 
in order to hold up to their just indignation a government, 
which, in the madness of its tyranny and in the intoxica- 
tion of victory, not content with having treacherously de- 
ceived a naiion for three centuries, now in direct opposition 
to the law of nations, basely persecutes (he unfortunate rem- 
nants of a garrison that capi ulated ot) honorable terms, and 
robs them of the guaranties to which their fidehty and 
approved bravery had given them a claim. 

I will here mention three of the most flagrant of these 
violations. The second of the articles of surrender 
gives an unconditional promise of passports to foreign 
countries. In consequence of this, many who did not 
have the means requisite for the long journey to America, 
wrote their names lor vaiious countries of Europe; and 
some, of whom I was one, subscribed at the outset for 
America. The list was sent to the Austrian authorities 
previous to ihe surrender of the fortress. When at the end 
of a week, we hoped finally to obtain our passports, (he 
atmoinicement was made to us that the ambassadors of all 
the European Courts, excepting that of England, refused 
to countersign them — ^in a word, we were not to be endured 



14 

in Europe ; and consequently, all those who had signed, 
for France, SwilzerlancI, Germany, the Netherlands, etc., 
must declare anew whether they would clio so America. 
Some could and did so, but many were forced from want 
of means to rem:»in behind in their desolated comilry, 
maimed and crippled in body and mind, the mournful wit- 
nesses of its woes, and soon and smely to become the vic- 
tims of some newly invemod persecution. This must be 
designated an underhand violation. For had those who 
negotiated the capitulation on the [)art of Austria cherished 
none but honest purposes, they should have previously as- 
certained from the diplomatic agents whether or not their 
respective governments would permit our residence in their 
stales : nor is it too much to suppose that the refusal may 
have been a suggestion of Austria itself 

The second underhand violation was, that in the 
pasports which we received from them, was inserted 
the wholly unexpected clause " without return." This 
is a violation, because by the first article of the capit- 
ulation, any one belonging to the garrison of Comorn 
was allowed to remain in the country unmolested, as the 
permits also give to each of us for a return to our homes. 
If then we were allowed to remain in (he country, v\'e could 
not be denied a return, nor be subject to banisliment instead 
of a free and unconditional residence in any other land. 

But the most open and atrocious violation is, that in 
which the Austrians indulged against the property, liberty 
and lives of the prominent members belonging to the garri- 
son of CoiT^orn. I mention definite facts that have been 
furnished to me by eye-witnesses. By virtue of the first 
article, no one engaged in Comorn should be subject to a 
legal prosecution ; and by virtue of the sixth article, all 
property, both movable and real, was to remain 'in- 
distmbed. Now what happened! Theeslateof Count Zichi 
Otto, one of the signers of the capitulation, which lies in the 
neighborhood of Comorn, was sequestrated by Colonel Ba_ 
log, an Austrian commissioner, the very next week after the 
capitulation, as Colonel Pragai, now here, can testify. 

Two officers of the Comorn garrison, formerly vice- 



15 

Governors of the counties of Weisembnrg, one of therny 
named Csapo. were thrown into prison. A friend of these 
men, who had spoken wiih them in prison, gave me this 
statement, personally, on my journey from Comorn to 
Hamburgh. An old and venerable friend of mine, Re- 
peczky, formerly member of tlie House of Representatives, 
and latterly a Major in the garrison of Comorn, whohad 
against my advice returned home, was shortly after seized, 
arraigned before a Court, and according to the staleraents 
in the pulUic prints, executed in the Chy of Schemnitz. 
That he has been actually executed, I will not affirm, for 
I will not go beyond fully ascertained fact5-~ ; but that he 
has been imprisoned, and received sentence, was deiinile- 
ly told me by my son-in-law, who came from that quarter 
to Hamburgh. Such are the violalions, of the capitula- 
tion that occurred vvhile I was on my way from Co- 
morn to Hamburg — villanies enough for so short a time. 
What may not have taken place since I left Europe I 

The direct motive that impelled ray companions 
and myself to leave our country, has its origin in two 
causes. The first was, that we knew the faithlessness 
of Austria for centuries, and could not place the least 
reliance on an observance of the conditions of capitu- 
lation. The violalions of them, already referred to, 
sufficiently justify our opinion ; they are in accordance 
with the ancient and confirmed custom of Austria; so- 
were our delegates from the diet to VVindischgratz, Batlhi- 
anyi and his four companions, detained in the camp of 
thesatellileof tyranny ; so formerly the three members of the 
convention, embassadors of the French nation, were, at 
the command of high authority, murdered by the soldiers, 
in Rastadt; and yet so infamous a government, which re- 
gards the law of nations less than do cannibals, is to stand 
in connection with other, and above all. free nations ! 

The second cause of our separation from our fatherland^ 
was the irrepressible impulse of our convictions. On the 
fourteenth of April, we had solemnly sworn to our indepen- 
dence, and forever renounced and condemned royalty as 
the scourge of humanity. We would have been faithless to 



16 

our sacred oath had we longer remained under the dominion 
of Austria, We regarded our republican principles more 
than the material interests we were to sacrifice, and 
with such views, our choice could not be doubtful. We 
firmly grasped the pilgrim's staff, for we would rather 
become in the sweat of our brows, poor, but free citizens, 
than remain ever so prosperous slaves. Whether we may 
ever again retiu'ii to our country, depends, in the present 
condition of things, not on our own wills; for, as we have 
said above, instead of passports we were treacherously 
furnished with lelteis of banishment. But the wisli and 
the hope burn in our breasts, that a new war of freedom 
may soon arise in Europe, to which we may lend our 
strength for the attainment of the universal rights of men, 
of the freedom of the Magyar land, and of our breth- 
ren we have left behind, or at least, to secure a better fate. 

As re2:ards the number of my brethren who are about 
to emigrate hither, 1 cannot speak with entire definite- 
ness. When the officers of the garrison at Comorn first 
assembled to consult upon the aim and end of our emi- 
gration, ninety six of them decided in favor of America: 
on that occasion, 1 was chosen, by the confidence of my 
fellow-citizens, to the future presidency of this society of 
immigration. While we were obliged to wait for our 
passports, some others promised to provide, at their respec- 
tive homes, the means necessary for the jouiney. Wheth- 
er they were unable to obtain these means or changed 
their purpose, I cannot say. Uiuing my stay at Hamburg, 
thirty-five persons, besides those who are now here with 
me, joined us, and as their departure was not to take place 
till a week alter mine, I think their number may be in- 
creased to forty, whose arrival 1 look for about the middle of 
January. Agreeably to a resolution passed by the society, I 
came in advance in the steamer, that I might make some 
provisions for their first reception. The former position of 
these my fellow countrymen was, that of superior officers, 
some Majors, others Captains and LieiUenants, excepting 
three private citizens, who are mechanics. 

The object of this Society :— Our purpose is to become 



17 

citizens of this free country, aud form a united agricultural 
colony, excepting a few, who, versed in some departments 
of science, hope, by their technical skill, to obtain support 
the present year. We propose to ourselves this end, be- 
cause Hungary, not being a land of trade and commerce, 
its inhabitants are mainly occupied in agricultural pursuits, 
with which we, a few of us excepted, are most familiar, 
and to which we have the greatest inclination. It is our 
purpose then, for each of us to tread a path for which habit 
and experience best fit us. In respect also to the regene- 
ration of the dear country we have left, it is not unimpor- 
tant that the Hungarian emigration should remain united 
in one colony, which too may serve as a haven of refuge 
to those following us, and which surely will aid them in 
the arrangements of their first settlement. 

I must confess, that it is not easy to answer with the 
requisite modesty, questions concerning our property in 
Hungary. It is painful to be obliged to speak of one's own 
circumstances. But the free and noble men of America 
desire frankness and sincerity, and I must not refuse. 
Confiscations were constantly occurring in all those districts 
where the enemy held possession, nor was the confiscation 
of the real property our sole loss, for the cattle, implements 
and crops were destroyed, so that, generally, little more 
than the naked soil and the ruins of buildings were left 
for confiscation. So it was with my estate : for when in 
December of last year, Genl. Schlich, from Gallicia, violent- 
ly entered upon it, and the first unsuccessful battle of 
Kaschau was fought upon it, the cattle were driven away, 
ray movable property and agricultural stores were destroyed 
and the soil sequestered for the benefit of the imperial 
treasury. When, at a later period. Gen. Gdrgey marched 
from Presburg past Kaschau, my estate was of course 
recovered, but only for a short time ; for when, still later, 
the Russians broke in through Gallicia, confiscation again 
ensued, and since that time, the fields, to whose cultivation 
I had devoted a great part of my time and attention, have 
been the constant prey of our insatiate enemies. 

The property of all those who owned lands and belong- 
3 



18 

ed to the garrison of Comorn, or who were in any other 
way connected with the Hungarian government, shared 
substantially the same fate with mine, for latterly, the 
whole country was in the hands of the enemy, and enough 
base spies were found to inform them if this or that per- 
son were in (he ranks of the champions of liberty. 

The prospect of a recovery of our property is indeed 
very doubtful. If the conditions of capitulation that have 
been so often broken could be relied upon, we might retain 
our own unmolested, but these conditions are for us a dead 
letter ; for who is there among the band of the satellites of 
tyranny, to say one bold, just word for us 1 Where are the 
upright inflexible judges to protect us from the arbitrary 
will of despotism ? 

Yes, we have come here in poverty, and have sacrificed 
our all in the cause of the revolution ; but by the aboli- 
tion of Feudalism, we have secured to seven millions of 
men, once serfs, a right to the soil, of which Austria's dy- 
nasty cannot deprive them. If we have not been so fortunate 
as to lay the foundations of republican freedom, we have 
at least given a death blow to the material power of 
the aristocracy, and without the support of an aristocracy, 
dynasties cannot long maintain themselves. We have 
then still gained a triumph by our struggles : there are no 
longer any serfs in Hungary, but each man cultivates his 
ov/n land. The consciousness of this benefit bestowed 
on seven millions of men shall requite us for our losses. 

New- York, January 1, 1850. 

LADISLAUS UJHAZr, 

late civil Governor of the Fortress Comorn, 

and its dependencies. 



To Theodore Sedgwick and 

S. Draper, EsauiREs, Committee : 

Getsttlemen: — The undersigned, in the beginning of 
the movements in Hungary, entered the patriotic army of 
Transylvania. After a short service, I was elected by my 
fellow patriots, member of the House of Representatives, 
and as such, I assisted at the diet at Pesth, and afterwards, 
at Debreczin. 

In the month of March, 1849, I was appointed by the 
President of the Hungarian Government, Louis Kossuth, 
represeLtative of the Hungarian Nation in foreign coun- 
tries, and entrusted with a particular mission to the Danu- 
bian Provinces, the Courts of Constantinople, Paris and 
London. 

After a dangerous passage through Moldavia, connected 
with the severest sufferings, privations and imprisonment, 
seeing no possibility to remain in the Danubian Provinces, 
under incessant persecutions, I escaped to Constantinople, 
and there I began my diplomatic intercourse, both with the 
Court of Constantinople and the ministers of the foreign 
powers, but after a iew days, being detected by the Russian 
agents, I was threatened with new persecutions. Advised 
early by some friends, 1 was obliged to fly again. I then 
went first to Paris, and thence to London, where, having 
discharged my diplomatic duties, I came to America, with 
the purpose to put under way, and carry into exectiiion, a 
special and highly important affair, about which I had re- 
ceived private instructions from Kossuth. 

I worked on my sacred duty, and circumstances led me 
to cherish hopes of success ; but the dreadful downfall of 
the Hungarian cause has frustrated all, and I am an exile. 

I am a native of Transylvania, and have there 
a considerable property, which was confiscated, in the 
month of November, 1848, when the Austrian army occu- 
pied Transylvania, but after the evacuation of that Pro- 



20 

vince by the Aiistro Russian army, I got my property 
back,allhough entirely despoiled. and my residence, as well 
as all the other buildings, sacked, so that there remained 
nothing else than the soil. 

After the second invasion of the Russians, in the month 
of June, what was the state of my property? and what is 
it now .? I know nothing about it, having no communi- 
cation with my family or friends. All I can conjecture, 
is this : The Austrian Government, since the war, has 
subjected to confiscation the property of all members of 
the late Hungarian Diet, and even of those who had ren- 
dered any service to the Hungarian Government ; conse- 
quently my property must be confiscated likewise. 

I am married, have a wife and five children ; when \ 
left Debreczin, my family remained there, under the pro- 
tection of Kossuth. What has become of them, and 
where are they now, I know nothing, having received 
no letters from them since my departure from Debreczin. 
I have sent several letters to my wife and friends, but I 
have never received any answer; the only information 
that I have got, is in an indirect and uncertain way, that 
they were seen at Pesth on the 22d of August. 

COUNT S. VVASS. 

New- York, January 1, 1850. 



3477-296 

Lot ?.i 



ai 



APPENDIX. 



SURRENDER OF THE GARRISON OF COMORN, ON THE 
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS : 

1. A free retreat of the garrison, without arras; the 
swords of the officers to remain in their possession. 

Foreign passports shall be granted to those officers who 
have formerly served in the imperial army ; to those who 
do not desire such passports, a safe conduct to their homes 
shall be granted. 

A free residence in their homes, without restriction as to 
their luiure conduct and occupation, shall be granted to 
the honved officers, (National Hungarian Soldiers.) who 
have not previously been in the imperial service. 

An amnesty is granted to the rank and file of the impe- 
rial regiments, as well as to those who have been mean- 
time promoted ; they are dismissed free, and no legal prose- 
cution shall be hereafter conducted, against them. 

2. Foreign passports shall be granted to all who apply 
for them within thirty days. 

3. One month's pay to the officers, and ten days' wages 
to the rank and file, according to the rates of the Imperial 
Austrian Army, shall be paid in Austrian national bank 
notes. 

4. For the settlement of the various obligations entered 
into by the garrison, as shown by their orders on the mili- 
tary chest, the sum of five hundred thousand gulden, Con- 
venzion's — Munze, (about $250,000,) shall be paid in Aus- 
trian bank notes. 

5. The sick and wounded in Comorn, and in the hos- 
pitals, shall be properly cared for. 

6. Private property, both real and personal, shall, in 
general, be retained by the owners. 

7. The place, time and manner of surrendering arms, 
shall be hereafter determined. 

S. All hostilities shall imm*^diateiy cease on both sides. 



82 

9. The fortress shall surrender according to the usages 
•of war, and after mutual ratification. 

PuszTA Herkaly, the 27th September, 1849. 

HAYNAU, M. P. 

F. Z. M. 

Takats, M. p., Captain. 
Gasparetz, Captain. 
Mednyamszky Colonel. 
John Piiagay, Colonel. 
Stefan Rutkay, Colonel. 
Count Otto Zichy, Colonel. 
Count Paul Esterhazy, Colonel. 
John Janik, Colonel. 

SiGMUND Szabo, Colonel, Commandant ill the town. 
Josef Von J^aszonyi, Colonel. 

Franz Asserman, Colonel, Commandant in the fortress. 
Georg. Klapka, Commander in chief of the fortress 
and troops. 

Agreeing with the original. Comorn the 29th Septem- 
ber, 1849, 

SZILLANYI, Chief of the General Staff. 







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